Sally Capp

Sally Capp
AO
Speaking at the World Economic Forum's Sustainable Development Impact Summit 2021
104th Lord Mayor of Melbourne
Elections: 2018, 2020
In office
26 May 2018 – 2 July 2024
DeputyNicholas Reece
Preceded byRobert Doyle
Succeeded byNicholas Reece
Personal details
BornPort Moresby, Papua New Guinea
NationalityAustralian
Political partyTeam Sally Capp
Other political
affiliations		Liberal (2014–2016)[1]
SpouseAndrew Sutherland

Sally Anne Capp AO is a former Australian politician who was the 104th lord mayor of Melbourne, elected on 18 May 2018 and sworn in on 26 May 2018 with her term ending on 30 June 2024. She is also the former executive director of the development lobbying group the Property Council of Victoria.

On 28 March 2024, Capp announced that she would not seek re-election for a third term as Lord Mayor.[2]

Capp was educated at Presbyterian Ladies' College before graduating with honours in economics and law from the University of Melbourne. Her first career was a solicitor.[3]

Previously Capp was chief of operations of the Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and the former Victoria agent-general in London from 2009 to 2012, the first woman to hold the office.[4]

Capp is the former CEO of the Committee for Melbourne and was a director of Collingwood Football Club to 2009, the first woman to serve on the board of that club.[5]

On 18 May 2018, Capp was declared elected as lord mayor of Melbourne in the 2018 by-election for lord mayor, following the resignation of Robert Doyle on 4 February. She was sworn in on 24 May.

Capp was re-elected as lord mayor in November 2020, securing another four-year term.[6]

In 2022, Capp supported calls to change the date of Australia Day.[7][8][9][10]

On 25 November 2022, Capp was criticised for saying that COVID-19 lockdowns were "good" for the City of Melbourne.[11][12][13]

Capp was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in the 2023 King's Birthday Honours for "distinguished service to the people of Melbourne, to local government, to business, and to the community through various organisations".[14]

On 28 March 2024, Capp officially announced that she would not seek re-election and would stand down as Lord Mayor at the end of June, stating "Look it's with mixed emotions, but it's important for me, that I'm open and create as much certainty as I can is [sic] there been much conjecture I've decided not to contest the local government elections later this year, I absolutely love being the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, it's been a tumultuous, and tremendous six years, the trajectory now is so positive and I think it's the right time for me to go."[2]

  1. ^ "Capp in poll position to retain lord mayoralty as candidates line up". The Age. 21 August 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2024. Cr Capp, a former Liberal Party member and Property Council chief
  2. ^ a b "'Mixed emotions' as Sally Capp announces she'll stand down as Melbourne lord mayor". ABC News. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Sally Capp returned as Melbourne Lord Mayor". www.abc.net.au. 4 November 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  4. ^ Paul Austin (29 October 2009). "Key London job a historic first for women". The Age. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  5. ^ "Camplin joins Magpies board". The Age. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  6. ^ "Lord Mayor and Councillors". www.melbourne.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  7. ^ https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/politics/melbourne-city-council-reviewing-its-approach-to-australia-day/news-story/4219b7ec3eb4607fe2371a66f02a8883 [bare URL]
  8. ^ "Melbourne City Council launches review into Australia Day celebrations". ABC News. 26 July 2022.
  9. ^ "City of Melbourne calls on government to change the date of Australia Day". 6 September 2022.
  10. ^ "Melbourne City Council pushes to dump Australia Day celebrations". 27 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Melbourne Lord Mayor slammed for saying COVID-19 was 'good' for the city in TEDx talk".
  12. ^ "'Lockdown to boomtown': Lord Mayor says COVID was good for Melbourne". 24 November 2022.
  13. ^ "Shock over Capp's 'out of touch' Covid comments". The Herald Sun.
  14. ^ "King's Birthday 2023 Honours - the full list". Sydney Morning Herald. Nine Entertainment Co. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.